Submarine.



A. BIANCHL SUBMARINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 5. 19-1 Z SBEETS-SHEET I.

. v INVENTOR Arm/0 EMA/0w.

ATTORNEY fi. I Patented Aug. 27, 1918.

A BIANCHI.

SUBMARINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 5, IQI 7 Patented. Aug. 27, 1918.

2 SHEETSSHEEI 2.

INVENTOR Arr/L10 B/HNCHI.

% 623% ATTORNEY ATTILIO BIANCHI, or vEw YORK, N. Y.

SUBMABINE;

Specification of Letters latent. Patented A11 27, 1918.

Application filed September 5, 1917. Serial No. 189,867.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ATTILIo BIANCHI, a

subject of the King of Italy, residing at New York, in the county of New Yorkand State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Submarines, of which the following is a specification. I This invention relates to safety apparatus for submarines or submersibles and has for its principal object, the provision of an auxiliary vessel which normally constitutes a part of the main vessel and which is associated therewith whereby at the time of emergency, the occupants can find escape to said auxiliary vessel and be protected against the hazards of the sea water which may fill the main vessel if the latter is penetrated.

A still further object of the invention resides in the provision of a main vessel and an auxiliary vessel, means for normally holding both vessels operatively associated with each other in order that under ordinary conditions, they are free to float together, combining with said vessels means for causing an instantaneous separation of the same from each other to enable said auxiliary "essel to rise to the surface of the water.

lVith the above and other objects in view which will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the improved construction and novel arrangement of parts which will be hereinafter more fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawing has been illustrated a single and preferred form of the invention, it being, however, understood that no limitations are necessarily made to the precise structural details therein exhibited, but that changes, alterations and modifications within the scope of the claims may be resorted to when desired.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through a submersible vessel, showing my improved safety attachment in its normal position thereon, parts being shown in full lines.

Fig. 2 is a plan view with parts broken away.

Fig. 3 1s a transverse section taken approximately on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4t is a detail view of the releasing mechanism taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a similar view taken on a line at right angles to Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary section therethrough showing the releasing mechanism in a set positlon.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing said mechanism released.

Fig. 8 is a section on the line 88 of Fig. 6

Fig. 9 is a detail view of the actuating device.

The safety attachment is in the form of an auxiliary vessel 10, which may be of any suitable well known buoyant construction which will cause the same to float in the water. Communication is established between the living compartment of the auxiliary vessel and the hold of the main vessel by wayof an opening 11, in said auxiliary vessel. This opening is adapted to be sealed against the entrance of water by means of a closure 12. .The said auxiliary vessel is provided with a, deck-like portion 13, which isrdesigned to form a continuation of the deck of said main vessel, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. A suitable gasket 14, is interposed between the deck of the main vessel and said deck portion 13, of the auxiliary vessel so as to prevent water from entering said main vessel when the latter is submerged.

Shafts 1515 and 16-16 are suitably journaled in said auxiliary vessel and as illustrated, the same are geared together by internieshing bevel pinions 16*. Gear wheels 17 on said shafts are arranged in mesh with locking dogs 18 pivoted at 19 from said vessel 10. These dogs are in the form of gear segments having tail portions 20, whose free ends are normally engaged with the deck of the main vessel 1. An actuating device 21, including a gear train 22, is employed in the vessel 10, to impart rotation to all of said shafts 1515 and 1616, whereby the dogs 18, will be released from the deck of said main vessel when it is desired to release said vessel 10.

Valves 22*, are arranged between the tube 3, and the hold of the main vessel 1, and at the time of emergency, such as for instance, if the vessel is kept submerged for a dangerous space of time in the water,said valves can be opened to permit the sea water to enter the hold of said main vessel so as to operate against the auxiliary vessel and assist the purpose of the actuating device when releasing said vessel 10. Through the fact that the mentioned parts functionate as described, it will be readily apparent that said dogs 18 and pinions 17, constitute a lock mechanism which is responsive to the action of the device 21, and the ingress of water to the hold of said main vessel. Secondly, this mechanism serves to hold the two vessels sealedagainst the casual ingress of water during normal conditions. Should the walls of the vessel 1, be penetratedit'obviously follows that the described mechanism can be quickly operated to cause the auxiliary vessel to release itself from its associated main vessel, whereupon it will immediately float to the surface of the water. Anti-friction devices 23, are employed in the opening 24, to engage against the sides of the vessel 10, as the latter leaves the vessel 1.

hat I claim is 1. In a structure of the character described, a main vessel, an-auxiliary vessel movable respectively into and out of said main vessel and provided with a portion adapted to overlie the deck of said main vessel, movable dogs carried by the auxiliary vessel and adapted to engage beneath the deck of said main vessel, and a releasing mechanism for said dogs, said mechanism serving to advance the dogs in the direction of said overlying portion of the auxiliary vessel and to move the latter with relation to the deck of the main vessel.

2. In a structure of the character 'de scribed, a main vessel, an auxiliary vessel movable respectively into and out of the main vessel and provided with a portion adapted to overlie the deck of said main vessel, a plurality of swinging dogs supported from the sides of the auxiliary vessel and adapted to engage with the under surface of the deck of the main vessel, a gasket between the deck of said main vessel and the overlying portion of the auxiliary vessel and mechanism for actuating the dogs and serving at one time to move the deck of said main vessel and said overlying portion of the auxiliary vessel with relation to each other and in mutual sealing contact with the gasket, said mechanism serving at another time to cause the dogs to be supported in position to permit free passage of the auxillary vessel into or out of said main vessel.

3. In a structure of the character described, a main vessel, an auxiliary vessel movable respectively into and out of the main "essel and provided with a deck normally arranged in approximately the same general line with the deck of the main vessel, a gasket interposed between the deck of the auxiliary vessel and the deck of the main vessel, and locking mechanism carried by the auxiliary vessel for securing the latter to the main vessel, and including swinging dogs having tail portions adapted to engage against the underside of the deck of the main vessel to hold the auxiliary vessel against casual separation from the main vessel and also serving to clamp the two decks against the gasket.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature.

ATTILIO BIANCHI.

I Copies of this patent may be'obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

